A few months ago there was much talk about a collaborative Tau story, "Into Silence" is the culmination of our efforts.

After much writing and discussion, we would like to begin posting.

Those authors that are involved will preface their own titles with "Into Silence" so you know you're dealing with the same series. It's like a compilation from Black Library, only we're referencing the same event. None of the stories rely on each other, but will be referencing many of the same ideas.

This post will make it available for members to ask overall questions and for our authors to post their own information.

We begin with this:

"It is the Third Age of Expansion. For more than a thousand cycles the Ethereals of T'au have lead the Four Castes with wisdom and enlightenment, bringing many within the fold of our Greater Good. They are the rightful caretakers of our souls, commanding us to be better, to cherish our unity, lest we step back into the darkness of the Mont'au. It is by their will that balance prospers amongst our people."

"Yet even as we strive to discover new worlds, new frontiers, a barren void reminds us of our past failures. Hundreds of sectors deep, the Zone of Silence lies on our borders, a place of refuge for our enemies and a reminder of the death of so many of our people."

"Now, in the darkness beyond Sept space, a great Armada assembles. At it's core is a great star vessel housing millions of future colonists in suspended animation while thousands more prepare for a great journey that will see worlds and star systems returned to the Empire. Cadres of Firewarriors are assembled, dedicated and devoted in their task to defend their fellow Tau. The Water Caste envoys hold council, working closely with the Ethereals that will directly monitor the mission, preparing for the arduous task of organizing the effort. The Air Caste are vigilant, knowing that they will be called upon to reignite the fires of the lost Sept Sha'draig while the Earth Caste have called upon their greatest minds to solve the greatest construction efforts of the age."

"Remember the promise of progress and understanding, for, amongst the grim darkness of a galaxy at war, there still remains the light of the Tau'va. Through it there can be peace amongst the stars, an eternity of reason and unification, and the prosperity of our people."

On the edge of the Tau Empire, a vast expedition gathers to embark on one of the greatest endeavours of the Third Age of Expansion. At it's heart is an enormous state of the art vessel, a fortress-station reconfigured and re-purposed into a command centre, fleet base and colony transport rolled into one. The expedition's goal will be nothing less than the re-colonisation of the Zone of Silence, a region of space long thought lost to the Tau.

But the armada has not gone unnoticed.

Maiden of Agony, Slayer of Suns, The spectre that brings the stars to their knees. These are just a handful of the titles given to Merrighan, Dread Archon of the Kabal of the Bleeding Rose. Merrighan has learnt of the growing Tau armada and it's intended journey, and the countless colonists and other peoples within it is far too great a prize to pass up. While Merrighan's main forces are occupied with exploiting the chaos on the boarder between the Tau Empire and the Imperium of Man, she has dispatched a large raiding fleet to capture the vessel at the Tau expedition's heart.

The raiding fleet is led by Leu'kyarrth, an ambitious noble of the kabal who has a long history with Merrighan. Leu'kyarrth however, having grown tired of Merrighan's leadership, has plans of his own...

As you can gather from the intro above, my first Into Silence story is from the perspective of an antagonist opposing the Tau force. It details a powerful Dark Eldar fleet sent to capture the Tau colonists, and it's scheming leaders who seek to take power for themselves. Be warned though, as might be expected it is a touch on the dark side...

The expansion of the empire has brought many species together for single purpose. As their strengths are being realised one Shaper Hasah'Teruk, and his kindred, has stood out among many not only for their adoption of psychic abilites but also for his loyalty to the Tau'va, especially Por’O Tai’Rhei Kel Sahn Vit’Rizt who befriended the Shaper and made him his bodyguard.

Fate has been a cruel mistress to Hasah'teruk, for not only was he the last of his kindred to awaken his psychic powers but he IS the last of kindred as he witnessed their demise along with O'Tai'Rhei during an expedition to get a race known as the Dasur'tio to jiin the empire. As punishment for his failings in saving his friend and Kindred he lives a life of silence while remaining in service to the greater good

Kau'ui Da'he:Formation: 6 years pastJustification: El'Da'he's promotion, refilling the ranks of the former Kau'ui Mont'daPurpose: Deep field reconnaissance and ambush.Troop origins on founding: 20 Shas from Kau'ui Mont'da, 44 Shas'la from the Academy on Ke'lshan

"What happened to Kau'ui Mont'da?"

Kau'ui Mont'da was reduced to 20 members during the final major raid of the Eternal Night campaign. The objective was to kill the Ork Warboss. While the mission was a success, untimely reinforcements to the Ork Stronghold cut off the Kau'ui, resulting in the deaths of most of the Kau'ui, including Shas'el Mont'da. A full after battle report as filed by then Shas'vre Da'he is available upon request.

"No need for now. What was the kau'ui's composition at the start of the last rotation?

This is pretty awesome. I have one question though. Is there a chronological order within the story of the posts? I see a few 'Into Silence' stories and want to read them, but I don't want to read them out of order (if there is one).

shasocastris wrote:This is pretty awesome. I have one question though. Is there a chronological order within the story of the posts? I see a few 'Into Silence' stories and want to read them, but I don't want to read them out of order (if there is one).

Cheers!

They're all chronologically synchronised, so they all take place simultaneously, with each one covering a different perspective or point of view of the journey.